Rich And Raw

LOUIS VUITTON OMBRE NOMADE

While creating the range of scents for French luxury house Louis Vuitton, its maître perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud went on the hunt for 100 per cent natural oud - one of the world's most expensive perfume ingredients, with a potent musky scent. Says the fourth-generation perfumer from Grasse: "I wanted 100 per cent natural oud, small production, something exceptional. And it took some two-and-a-half years to find the right one."

This August, the brand will launch the Middle East-influenced Ombre Nomade, made with the best available oud Assam from a sustainable family-run plantation in Bangladesh, giving it a rich, intoxicating fragrance. But the magic of this scent is the addition of raspberry which balances the smoky intensity with an unexpected lightness. If you've ever wondered what "expensive" smells like, this is it.

Ombre Nomade will be available from Aug 4 only at Takashimaya and Marina Bay Sands.

MEMO PARIS TIGER'S NEST

This ultra-luxe fragrance brand is the brainchild of John and Clara Molloy. She's Parisian while he hails from the Irish countryside and together they are bonded by a shared wanderlust. Their perfumes are packaged in striking heavy-glass bottles and named after exotic destinations around the world, like their latest project, Tiger's Nest Eau de Parfum. Inspired by the valleys and the sacred mountains of Bhutan, this mysterious and velvety fragrance is concocted with woody and intense notes of absinthe oil, amber, osmanthus, rose, ylang ylang and vanilla.

Memo Paris Tiger's Nest EDP (75ml) is priced at S$355 and available from Sept 13 at Escentials Paragon, Tangs and Takashimaya Department Store Pop-up and on escentials.com.

BVLGARI MAN WOOD ESSENCE

In its bid to be a more sustainable brand, Bulgari's new perfume, Bvlgari Man Wood Essence, is made with natural and sustainable ingredients. The perfume bottle is modelled after a modern skyscraper and is made from 90 per cent recycled glass. Created by master perfumer Alberto Morillas, this unique olfactory signature is lighter compared to the brand's usual heavier and smokier scents, thanks to the refreshing combination of vetiver, cypress and cedar wood. "For me, the perfume doesn't have a sex - if you enjoy the smell you love, you can wear it," said master perfumer Alberto Morillas to WWD. "We wanted to create something that would resonate with everybody."

Bvlgari Man Wood Essence EDP (60ml) S$119 and (100ml) S$159 will be available in all major department stores in September.

TOM FORD FABULOUS

Tom Ford is no stranger to controversy and in case you didn't know, the uncensored name of this limited-edition fragrance is actually - F****** Fabulous.

Due to the controversial title, the fragrance did not launch at a department store counter and Ford's private blend was produced in very limited quantities when it was first launched last year. Now, it's back in stock on tomford.com and also available in the Singapore boutique (the only country in Asia to carry the uncensored version).

The fragrance will appeal to those who like a little spice; there is also a strong leathery and lavender fragrance with hints of vanilla, amber, and bitter almond. And for those familiar with Ford's blends, there's a warm and sexy air to it and well, it does smell pretty (insert expletive here) fabulous.

Tom Ford Fabulous Perfume (50ml) S$455, and (250ml) S$1,100 are now available at the Tom Ford boutique in Marina Bay Sands.